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Last Updated: April 17, 2025

Drugs in ATC Class D07AC


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Drugs in ATC Class: D07AC - Corticosteroids, potent (group III)

D07AC Market Analysis and Financial Projection

The market for ATC Class D07AC (potent topical corticosteroids) is experiencing steady growth, driven by rising dermatological conditions and advancements in formulation technologies. Below is a detailed analysis of its market dynamics and patent landscape.


Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing Prevalence of Skin Disorders: Chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis are major drivers. Over 31 million Americans suffer from eczema[13], and the global topical corticosteroids market is projected to reach $8.19 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6%)[10].
  • Innovation in Drug Delivery: Advances in formulations enhancing efficacy and minimizing side effects (e.g., combination products with antiseptics/antibiotics under ATC subgroups D07B/D07C)[1][6] are expanding therapeutic applications.
  • Regional Expansion: North America dominates (38% market share in 2021)[10], but Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region due to rising healthcare investment and skin disease prevalence[10][12][15].

Key Market Segments

  • Product Dominance: Glucocorticoids (e.g., betamethasone, mometasone) hold 65.3% market share due to anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties[12].
  • Application Focus: Skin allergies account for 34.9% of the corticosteroids market[12], reflecting D07AC’s role in managing dermatitis and psoriasis.

Competitive Landscape

  • Major Players: Pfizer, Novartis, GSK, LEO Pharma, and Sanofi lead the market[9][15], with strategic R&D investments in novel formulations[13].
  • COVID-19 Impact: Increased corticosteroid use for managing inflammatory complications temporarily boosted demand[13].

Patent Landscape

Key Trends and Innovations

  • Formulation Patents: Innovations focus on enhancing bioavailability and reducing systemic absorption. For example, US11957753B2 covers topical corticosteroid compositions applicable to potency classes 3–7[4].
  • Combination Therapies: Patents integrating antiseptics (e.g., betamethasone + antibiotics) or advanced linkers (e.g., Vedotin’s MC-VC-PABC linker)[3] highlight efforts to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Strategic Patent Activity

  • Litigation and Licensing: Disputes like Seagen vs. Daiichi Sankyo over ADC patents[3] underscore the importance of freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses. Licensing agreements (e.g., Immunogen’s emtansine patent for Kadcyla®)[3] are common strategies to avoid infringement.
  • Geographic Expansion: Companies like TSMC and Samsung are aggressively filing patents in emerging markets[8], mirroring trends in the corticosteroid sector.

Challenges

  • Patent Expirations: Biosimilar competition and generic entrants threaten revenue streams, necessitating lifecycle management strategies[15].
  • Regulatory Complexity: Divergent classification systems (e.g., ATC’s 4-tier vs. the U.S. 7-class potency hierarchy)[5][7] complicate global IP strategy.

Key Takeaways

  • The D07AC market is buoyed by rising dermatological disorders and formulation advancements.
  • North America remains dominant, but Asia-Pacific offers untapped potential.
  • Patent strategies focus on novel delivery systems and combination therapies, with litigation risks requiring proactive FTO analysis.
  • Companies must balance innovation with cost containment to navigate biosimilar competition and regulatory hurdles.

“The ADC patent landscape is dynamic, replete with opportunities for innovation in linker-cytotoxin constructs and combination therapies.”
– Excerpt from ADC patent analysis[3].


FAQs

1. What are the most prescribed D07AC corticosteroids?
Betamethasone, mometasone furoate, and fluticasone are widely used for psoriasis and eczema[1][7].

2. How does the ATC system classify corticosteroid potency?
D07AC is classified as “potent” (Group III), distinct from the U.S. 7-class system where Group III includes mid-potency agents like triamcinolone[2][5].

3. Which companies dominate D07AC-related patents?
GSK (fluticasone), LEO Pharma (mometasone), and AstraZeneca (budesonide) hold key patents[14][15].

4. What is the growth outlook for topical corticosteroids?
The market is expected to grow at 6.1% CAGR through 2030, driven by R&D in targeted therapies[13].

5. How are combination products shaping the market?
Formulations with antibiotics/antiseptics (e.g., D07BC01 betamethasone + antiseptics)[1] address secondary infections, enhancing adoption in clinical practice.

Sources Cited: [1][2][3][4][5][7][9][10][12][13][15]

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATC_code_D07
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topical_steroid
  3. https://www.fbrice.com.au/ip-news-insights/traversing-a-dynamic-adc-patent-landscape-2/
  4. https://patents.google.com/patent/US11957753B2/en
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9134043/
  6. https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?showdescription=yes&code=D07AC
  7. https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/60ed9e8494b6cb51c235a158203bf954ee769c49
  8. https://www.knowmade.com/patent-analytics-services/patent-report/semiconductor-patent-landscape/semiconductor-advanced-packaging-patent-landscape/hybrid-bonding-patent-landscape-analysis-2024/
  9. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/13/2228869/28124/en/Global-Corticosteroids-Market-Report-2021-Featuring-ajor-Players-Sumitomo-Pfizer-Novartis-Merck-Sanofi-Johnson-and-Johnson-GSK-AstraZeneca-Cipla-and-LEO-Pharma.html
  10. https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/topical-corticosteroids-market
  11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39219095/
  12. https://market.us/report/corticosteroids-market/
  13. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-topical-corticosteroids-market
  14. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Rhinocort
  15. https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/corticosteroid-global-market-report
  16. https://caldwelllaw.com/news/how-patent-landscape-analysis-drives-business-growth/

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